89 4 runner 3.0 the engine is making a ticking noise no it's not a knock it's a tick. I think it's the lifters. Suggestions? Tips it's the one thing I need to get fixed soon

 

Funny. The 3VZE doesn't have lifters; it has followers.

 

Okay I didn't know that. So what else would make a ticking noise like that?

 

Depends....

Does the noise get louder when you're pushing on the throttle, and get quieter when you lift off the throttle?

 

Yes it does and really low idle after it's warmed up

 

If it gets louder with more throttle, and quieter with less, I'd lean towards the exhaust manifold gasket(s) being the issue.

 

Thanks man I'll start there and let you know if I have more questions

 

I should probably say that you can rev it up with a loud ticking, and if you let off the throttle and the noise vanishes, it's probably the exhaust manifold gaskets.

Think a moment and realize that when the spark plug goes off, it builds pressure and when the exhaust valve opens, that pressure pushes out of the valve. It will make a 'tick' sound that is louder at full throttle and almost non-existent if you shut the throttle at high rpm's, if the gasket is leaking.

You can often look around the cylinder head and see evidence of carbon deposits near the exhaust manifold ports, too.

 

I should probably also say "don't take my word for everything."
I have my opinions and experiences but there may be someone else with more experience and better opinions.

*cheers*

 

I understand totally I just needed a place to start I appreciate the information it really helps.

 

The 3vze has hydraulic lifters with shims that sit in a shim bucket on top of them. Valve shims are a serviceable item and valve clearances should be checked. It can absolutely be the cause of your noise. Get a length of rubber hose- hold one end to your ear and move the other end around the engine and see where the noise is coming from. Also you can use a long screwdriver in the same fashion.

Fuel pressure regulator and injectors are notoriously loud on these motors yet aren't cause for much concern. Give em a listen.

Unless we are talking semantics, and what I'm calling a "hydraulic lifter" is technically called something else?

edit: taken from 95 FSM

 

No.
3VZE does not have 'hydraulic lifters'. Such are self-adjusting and do not require shims to take up valve lash.

 

But to say the "lifters" couldn't possibly be making noise doesn't seem right. The valve clearances between the rockers and shim could be, and often are, out of spec and cause "lifter noise".

I knew Id be wrong somehow on the "lifter" thing. I didn't mean to throw the hydraulic part in there. The FSM most certainly calls them lifters. So I'm just now sure what else to call them. I don't see a reference to the word "followers".

 

Yeah, it's a conflict of terminology, which I attribute to the older V8's with hydraulic lifters- they pump full of oil and have a check valve that keeps oil from flowing out and thus take up valve lash automatically. Anything else similar- shim and bucket for instance, I call a follower as it follows the cam lobe.

A loose valve, one without a hydraulic lifter or follower, shouldn't happen- the lifter / follower should take up clearance automatically.

An exhaust leak will be louder under acceleration and likely disappear when off the throttle.